Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f).

02Education

Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.

03Licensure

Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). GS-13 Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. AND Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to supervise employees. Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program. Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data. Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters. Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background. Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is designated as an RRT Assistant Chief.

They serve as full assistant to a Service Chief in complexity level 1 and 2 facilities. These facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. Individuals are typically assigned to this position at moderately to highly complex respiratory care services within the organization. Supervisory RRTs share the full scope of delegated managerial responsibilities and serve as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Chief.

They support department functions at the direction of the Chief. They make decisions affecting staff and other resources with wide latitude of control and independent judgment. They independently provide respiratory services at all levels of complexity. They supervise staff members of different levels of assignments and/or occupation. They provide direction of the program services assigned to them including utilization of resources and budget.

They may develop and initiate new programs, develop policies, protocols and procedures, assure compliance with regulatory requirements and monitor staff performance. They assist in determining quality assurance and performance data to be collected. Supervisory RRTs maintain established policies, procedures, protocols and quality assurance programs. They participate in the development of a department level plan for financial and personnel resources.

They encourage professional development, resolve conflicts which might interfere with the delivery of services, identify continuing education and training needs, create an environment of learning and serve as a mentor to staff. They attend professional meetings and take responsibility for professional development.

They collaborate with other healthcare team members to generate new ideas for quality improvement with regards to administration and overall function of the department, patient care and accomplishment of facility goals. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees.

04Preferred Experience

5+ years clinical experience as Respiratory Therapist. Experience making work assignments based on workload and available staff. Ability to solve problems independently or with minimal assistance. Strong communications skills with multi-disciplinary teams such as respiratory staff, nursing, medical team, and other internal/external customers. 3+ years' recent experience working intensive care, ventilator management, troubleshooting, making recommendations to care team.

Current knowledge of BCMA, VISTA, Clinicomp (Essentris), and CPRS Registered Respiratory Therapist. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

05Physical Requirements

Walking (up to 1 hour); Standing (up to 2 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour). Medium Lifting (Up to 15 lbs.); Medium Carrying (Up to 15 lbs.); Straight Pulling (up to 1 minute); Pushing (1 minute); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 30 minutes); Standing (up to 1 hour); Repeated bending (up to 5 minutes); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).

The Supervisory Respiratory Therapist serves as a first-line supervisor responsible for the administrative, clinical, and technical oversight of the Respiratory Therapy Section. The incumbent supervises approximately seven (7) Registered Respiratory Therapists and Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians and ensures the delivery of high-quality respiratory care services to patients with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary conditions.

Major Duties and Responsibilities Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities Provides direct supervision to a staff of Registered Respiratory Therapists and Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians. Plans, assigns, and reviews work; establishes priorities; and adjusts staffing and work assignments to meet patient care demands. Develops work schedules and implements changes to improve workflow, efficiency, and employee engagement.

Assigns duties based on employee qualifications, workload requirements, and available resources. Provides technical and administrative guidance to staff regarding respiratory therapy procedures, equipment, and clinical practices. Coordinates onboarding activities, including training, computer access requests, and orientation for new employees. Develops, maintains, and tracks employee competencies, educational requirements, mandatory training, and credential renewals.

Assists in developing educational plans and conducts training related to respiratory therapy equipment, policies, and clinical procedures. Provides input for performance evaluations and addresses employee performance and conduct issues. Assists with recruitment activities, including preparing vacancy requests, interviewing candidates, and recommending selections. Recommends promotions, awards, retention actions, and disciplinary measures as appropriate.

Reviews and approves leave requests and certifies employee timecards in the absence of the Program Coordinator. Resolves employee concerns and grievances at the supervisory level. Assists with annual equipment inventory and resource management activities. Clinical Responsibilities Reviews patient medical records and respiratory therapy orders to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of care. Administers and manages advanced respiratory care modalities, including assisted and controlled mechanical ventilation.

• Provides respiratory care to critically ill patients with tracheostomies and other complex pulmonary conditions.
• Develops, implements, and monitors ventilator weaning plans.
• Performs comprehensive respiratory assessments using clinical observation, arterial blood gas analysis, chest radiographs, electrocardiograms, and other diagnostic data.
• Evaluates patient response to therapy and adjusts treatment plans based on clinical findings and established protocols.

Collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to recommend changes in respiratory treatment and patient care plans. Ensures compliance with respiratory care standards, patient safety requirements, and accrediting agency guidelines. Serves as a clinical resource and subject matter expert for respiratory therapy staff and other healthcare professionals. Performs advanced respiratory therapy procedures in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient clinical settings.

Provides emergency respiratory care and intervention for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress and other critical cardiopulmonary conditions. Obtains, analyzes, and interprets arterial blood gas (ABG) specimens to assess patient oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status and recommends appropriate therapeutic interventions. Ensures arterial blood gas results are accurately documented and transmitted through automated medical information systems.

Adheres to universal precautions and infection control standards during specimen collection, handling, and disposal of biohazardous materials in accordance with Medical Center policies and procedures. Conducts daily quality control procedures and verifies calibration of blood gas analyzers and related respiratory therapy equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability of patient data. Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions and coordinates corrective actions to maintain operational readiness.

Work Schedule: Compressed 12-hour shifts, 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (1930-0800), including alternating weekends, based on the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized